Phototherapy device for pressure pain point therapy and trigger point therapy

ABSTRACT

A phototherapy device for a pressure pain point therapy or trigger point therapy includes one LED as a light source for therapy, and a projection portion projecting from a front surface of a case to be located on an optical axis of the LED. The projection portion is pressed against a human body to search a pressure pain point or trigger point, and the LED is turned on after searching the point, so that a photic stimulation can be securely provided to the pressure pain point or trigger point with a clear difference between the point and a region around the point, to thereby easily carry out the pressure pain point therapy or the trigger point therapy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

[0001] The present invention relates to a phototherapy device, and more particularly, it relates to a phototherapy device which is suitable for a pressure paint point therapy or trigger point therapy as a household health therapy device.

[0002] It has been known that a pressure pain point where pain is felt by applying pressure thereto, and a trigger point as a pressure pain point which causes related pain exist in a skeletal muscle, a tendon of a skeletal muscle, articular capsule, ligament, periosteum, skin or the like, and by stimulating these points, an effective therapy for pain can be carried out. As a method of stimulating the pressure pain point or trigger point, stimulation by injection of medicine or acupuncture has been practiced as the trigger point therapy, and experimentally, an irradiation of low power laser has been carried out.

[0003] However, in the conventional trigger point therapy as described above, although the effect of the therapy is high, only an expert can practice the therapy, and it is impossible to practice the therapy at any time at home.

[0004] Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a photo or light therapy device for a pressure pain point therapy and a trigger point therapy which can easily and safely stimulates the pressure pain point or trigger point at home, to thereby achieve the same effect as in the conventional trigger point therapy.

[0005] Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned object, the present invention provides a phototherapy device for a pressure pain point therapy or a trigger point therapy to be used by fixing the device on a human body. According to a first aspect of the invention, in the phototherapy device for a pressure pain point therapy or trigger point therapy of the invention, a light source for therapy is formed of only one LED (light emitting diode), and a projection portion for searching a pressure pain point or trigger point projects from a case for accommodating or holding the LED to be located on an optical axis of the LED.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the invention, in the phototherapy device for a pressure pain point therapy or trigger point therapy as stated above, the projection portion can be formed of a package itself of the LED, which projects from the front surface of the case.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the invention, it is preferable to provide a display light for confirming an operation on a surface of the case, which is different from the surface from which the projection portion projects.

[0009] Further, according to a fourth aspect of the invention, in case the present invention is applied to a therapy or treatment of the joint, a projecting amount or length of the projection portion from the front surface of the case is preferably set in a range from 0.3 mm to 3 mm. Also, according to a fifth aspect of the invention, in case the present invention is applied to a treatment of a stellate ganglion, the projecting length of the projection portion from the front surface of the case is preferably set in a range from 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0010] Incidentally, although an output wavelength of the LED of the invention is not specially limited, infrared ray including near infrared, and visible light can be preferably used.

[0011] In the present invention, only one LED as an inexpensive point light source is used, and by locally irradiating an output light of the LED to the pressure pain point or trigger point, a stimulation is given to these points. At the same time, the pressure pain point or the trigger point to which the light should be irradiated can be easily captured or found by using the projection portion projecting from the front surface of the case on the optical axis of the LED, and a user can proceed to a phototherapy immediately.

[0012] Namely, in case the light source is formed of only one LED, if the output light of the LED is locally irradiated to the front surface of the human body, an apparent difference in an amount of irradiation of the light appears between an irradiated site of the human body and an adjacent region around the irradiated site, so that the effective photic stimulation can be provided to the irradiated site. Accordingly, it has been proved that there is a high therapeutic effect with respect to the pressure pain point or trigger pain point as described later.

[0013] Here, in the LED used as the light source for therapy in the invention, there can be utilized an output light power which has a large broadening angle in the outgoing light and is the same as that of a laser used for the lower power laser therapy. Namely, it has been confirmed that both in the laser and LED, after light for the therapy enters into the human body, the light is scattered to tissues inside the body, so that the light is largely broadened in substantially the same state. Therefore, even if the LED is used as the light source, the same effect as in the lower power laser therapy can be expected.

[0014] Then, by utilizing the fact that the pressure pain point or the trigger point is a site where a pain is felt apparently different from that in a portion around the site when the site is pressed, if the projection portion projecting from the front surface of the case to be on the optical axis of the LED is pushed against the body and moved, the pressure pain point or the trigger point as the point which needs the therapy can be easily found by relying upon the pain felt. Then, the user can proceed to the phototherapy immediately.

[0015] In the second aspect of the invention, it is useful to utilize the package of the LED as the projection portion in view of simplifying the structure of the phototherapy device to lower the cost thereof.

[0016] Also, in the phototherapy device of the invention, the LED as the light source of the device faces the front surface of the human body in use, and in addition, in case the near infrared light or the like is used as the LED, turning on and off of the light can not be perceived by the human eyes. Thus, as in the third aspect of the invention, it is extremely preferable in view of the safety to provide a display or the like on a surface of the case which is different from the surface from which the projection portion projects, that is, another surface which is different from the surface in which the LED is disposed, to thereby notify the condition of tuning on and off.

[0017] Then, in case the phototherapy device of the invention is used for a treatment of the joint, it is effective in searching a pressure pain point or trigger point existing in soft tissues among complicated hard and soft tissues that the projecting amount of the projection portion from the front surface of the case is 0.3 mm to 3 mm. Also, in case the phototherapy device of the invention is used for a treatment of the stellate ganglion, it is very convenient in searching the pressure pain point or the trigger point existing in an inner side of a muscle near a neck bone that the projecting amount of the projection portion from the front surface of the case is 10 mm and 30 mm.

[0018] Incidentally, in the present invention, the projection amount or length of the projection portion from the front surface of the case is not limited to the aforementioned range of 0.3 mm to 3 mm and the range of 10 mm to 30 mm, and in case a site other than the joint or stellate ganglion, for example, a muscle, is treated, it has been confirmed that the phototherapy device is handy if the projection portion projects in a length of 3 mm to 10 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment of the invention;

[0020]FIG. 2(A) is a front view of the embodiment;

[0021]FIG. 2(B) is a plan view thereof;

[0022]FIG. 2(C) is a right side view thereof;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical structure of the embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a main structure of another embodiment of the invention; and

[0025]FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a main structure of a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereunder, preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanied drawings.

[0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2(A) is a front view thereof; FIG. 2(B) is a plan view thereof; and FIG. 2(C) is a right side view thereof. Also, FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical structure of the embodiment of the invention.

[0028] On one surface of a case 1 having a shape of a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped, there is disposed one near infrared light emitting diode 2 (hereinafter referred to as near infrared LED) as a light emitting diode for therapy. The near infrared LED 2 is stored inside a package 2 a, which is integrally formed with a lens and made of a translucent resin. In a state that the package 2 a projects in several millimeters, for example, in 5 mm, from a front surface of the case 1, the package 2 a is fixed on a base, not shown, stored inside the case 1.

[0029] In the case 1, on a side surface with respect to the surface in which the near infrared LED 2 is provided, there is provided a switch 3 for turning on and of f the near infrared LED 2. Also, an LED (light emitting diode) 4 for monitoring, which outputs visible light, such as red LED, is stored inside the case 1, and the LED 4 for monitoring is disposed such that outgoing light from the LED 4 for monitoring is visible through the case 1 from a rear surface side with respect to the surface of the case 1 where the near infrared LED 2 is disposed.

[0030] Also, a drive circuit 5, shown in FIG. 3, which includes the switch 3 described above is stored inside the case 1, and by operating the switch 3, the near infrared LED 2 and the LED 4 for monitoring are simultaneously turned on or off. Namely, the drive circuit 5 includes a power supply buttery 51, and in the condition that the near infrared LED 2 and the LED 4 for monitoring are respectively connected to adequate resistors 52 and 53 in series, the near infrared LED 2 and the LED 4 for monitoring are connected to the power supply buttery 51 in parallel. Also, the switch 3 is interposed between the power supply buttery 51 and the respective LEDs 2 and 4.

[0031] Next, an example of a method of using the embodiment of the invention will be explained.

[0032] Firstly, a pressure pain point or trigger point is searched. In general, since a place where the pressure pain point or trigger point exists is roughly known according to a portion of development of the pain and a state of the pain, in searching the point, a distal end of the package 2 a, which projects from the case 1 to form a convex portion, of the near infrared LED 2, is pressed against and moved adequately in the vicinity of the roughly known place, to thereby search a place where the pain is felt most strongly in the vicinity of the roughly known place. When the place where the pain is felt most strongly is found, while the case 1 is positioned as it is, the switch 3 is operated to turn on the near infrared LED 2 for a predetermined period of time, so as to apply the therapy.

[0033] After the therapy as described above, it is searched by the same method as described above whether there is another point where the pain is concentrated, and if such a point is found, the point is treated by the same method as described above.

[0034] The remarkable point in the embodiment of the invention is that the package 2 aof the near infrared LED 2 projects from the case 1. Accordingly, the case 1 includes the projection portion projecting on an optical axis of the near infrared LED 2 as the light source for therapy, and the projection portion formed of the package 2 a of the near infrared LED 2 can be used for searching the pressure pain point and the trigger point. Also, after searching, it is possible to proceed to the photo or light therapy as it is. Moreover, operations from the searching to the therapy are extremely simple, so that the even if a non-expert ordinary person can easily carry out the pressure pain point therapy or the trigger point therapy.

[0035] In explaining the monitored results by using the embodiment of the invention, the therapeutic effect was 90.4% in a total efficiency in case a doctor used the phototherapy device of the invention. In case a general person who does not have medical knowledge used the phototherapy device of the invention, the therapeutic effect was 74% in a total efficiency. Especially, regarding symptoms of the arthralgia, sprain, and thecitis, more than 80% of the total efficiency can be obtained even if the ordinary person uses the device.

[0036] Incidentally, although the near infrared LED is used as the light source for the therapy in the aforementioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and by using the infrared having a longer wavelength and LED outputting the visible light, the same effects can be obtained.

[0037] Also, although the package 2 a of the LED 2 for therapy projects from the case 1 such that the package 2 a itself constitutes the projection portion for searching the pressure pain point or the trigger point in the aforementioned embodiment, a protective cover made of silicone rubber or the like, which is available in the market, may be attached to the package 2 a of the LED 2 for therapy such that the protective cover constitutes the projection portion for searching the pressure pain point or trigger point. Alternatively, in case the LED 2 for therapy is required to project by exceeding the size of the package 2 a, there can be adopted a structure in which a step portion projecting from the front surface of the case 1 is provided so as to fix the LED 2 for therapy on the step portion.

[0038] Further, in the present invention, as the projection portion which projects from the case 1 to search the pressure pain point and the trigger point, the following modified example can be adopted.

[0039] Namely, in an example of FIG. 4 showing a main part thereof in section, a cylindrical portion 11, which has an open distal end and covers a periphery of the LED 2 for therapy, projects on an optical axis of the LED 2 for therapy.

[0040] Also, in an example of FIG. 5 showing a main part thereof in section, a dome portion 12 covering the LED 2 for therapy is integrally formed with the case 1 to project on the optical axis of the LED 2 for therapy, and the dome portion 12 is made of a material having a transparency with respect to the outgoing light from the LED 2 for therapy.

[0041] The cylindrical portion 11 and the dome portion 12 described above are also effective in searching the pressure pain point or the trigger point as in the aforementioned embodiment, and they are the same as the aforementioned embodiment in that the user can proceed to the phototherapy right after searching these points.

[0042] Also, in using the phototherapy device of the invention, the device can be pushed against the therapy point by hand, or can be pushed against the therapy point by a supporter to be fixed thereto. Furthermore, the phototherapy device can be fixed to an exclusive band or holder, and the device can be fixed to a human body by the band or holder.

[0043] Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiment, it is explained with the example that the drive circuit 5 including the power supply buttery 51 is accommodated in the case 1. However, the power supply buttery 51 can be completely confined inside the case 1 by sealing the case 1, or a lid freely capable of opening and closing may be provided at the case 1 so that the power supply buttery 51 can be replaced. Also, in the present invention, without providing the power supply buttery in the case 1, there can be adopted a structure in which an external power supply is used and connected to the case 1.

[0044] Still further, in the present invention, it is needless to say that any additional function for improving convenience in use, such as a timer function provided in the drive circuit for the LED 2 for therapy, can be added freely.

[0045] According to the present invention, a single LED is provided as a light source for phototherapy, and also, there is provided the projection portion projecting along the optical axis of the LED from the front surface of the case which holds or accommodates the LED. Therefore, by pressing the projection portion against the human body, the pressure pain point or the trigger point can be easily searched, and the user can proceed to the phototherapy right after searching these points.

[0046] Also, in case of the phototherapy, light is locally irradiated to the predetermined site, to thereby provide an effective photic-stimulation by having an apparent difference in the amount of irradiation of light between the predetermined site and a region around the predetermined site, resulting in achieving the same effect as in the lower power laser therapy. Also, even the ordinary person who lacks in medical knowledge can easily carry out the pressure pain therapy or trigger point therapy effectively by using the phototherapy device of the invention.

[0047] While the invention has been explained with reference to the specific embodiments of the invention, the explanation is illustrative and the invention is limited only by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A phototherapy device for a pressure pain point therapy and trigger point therapy, comprising: a light source for therapy formed of a light emitting diode, a case for holding the light emitting diode therein, and a projection portion for searching one of a pressure pain point and a trigger point, said projection portion projecting from a surface of the case and located on an optical axis of the light emitting diode.
 2. A phototherapy device according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting diode includes a package projecting from a front surface of the case to thereby constitute the projection portion.
 3. A phototherapy device according to claim 2, further comprising a display light for checking an operation, said display light being provided on a surface of the package different from the surface from which the projection portion projects.
 4. A phototherapy device according to claim 3, wherein said projection portion projects from the front surface of the case in a range from 0.3 mm to 3 mm to be used for a treatment of a joint.
 5. A phototherapy device according to claim 3, wherein said projection portion projects from the front surface of the case in a range from 10 mm to 30 mm to be used for treatment of stellate ganglion.
 6. A phototherapy device according to claim 1, wherein said case has a projection for covering a periphery of the light emitting diode to constitute the projection portion. 